Are you willing to wait a bit to enjoy some delicious tacos?
Welcome to Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas! If you’re a cruise line, you absolutely need to have your own private island, so of course, Norwegian decided to join in on the fun.
This charming island is a great spot for those who love beaches, getting a nice tan, and relaxing. The overall atmosphere here is all about unwinding, so if you're looking for a party-private-island, you're out of luck.
Most activities here are centered around the beach and swimming, and there are also great bars and restaurants serving delicious tacos. It lacks amenities like a waterpark or even pools, so I don’t think kids or teens will enjoy it as much as Royal Caribbean’s Cococay or Disney’s Castaway Cay. However, it’s still a fun destination, especially for adults.
What we like about Great Stirrup Cay
Let’s start by saying the beach is quite nice. The beach is one of the main attractions on a private island, so it’s great to know that this one is spacious and offers plenty of room. It’s lined with lounges that are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the water is beautiful. There are also swings scattered throughout for you to relax on, with the wind blowing through your hair, and even overwater swings for those romantic moments and special Instagram pictures.
The food is good, and there are plenty of spaces offering shade if you want to wave goodbye to the sun and just enjoy a nice meal. The tacos are the star of the show here. I mean, offering great tacos should be enough to recommend this island, but the best part is that Great Stirrup Cay offers a wide variety of delicious tacos. Beef, fish, chicken, spicy tacos... they have it all. Or, you know, create your very own Mona-Lisa-masterpiece-Taco!
Another great feature of Stirrup Cay is Silver Cove. Silver Cove is an exclusive, paid area of the island, featuring cozy villas where you can spend the day relaxing. This area is much quieter than anywhere else on the island, offering a private beach and, more importantly, exclusive access to the Silver Cove buffet, where you can enjoy even better meals. Prices for Silver Cove vary, but they generally start at $299 per day, per guest for the studios.
What we don’t like about Great Stirrup Cay
The main problem with Great Stirrup Cay is the lack of a pier. Norwegian ships can’t actually dock directly on the island, so they use a tender service to shuttle you back and forth. This is a problem because it makes the process less convenient and consumes your time. Some guests online have mentioned that the entire trip from the ship to the island took them forty minutes, which is quite a lot. Sometimes, you just want to get off the ship as quickly as possible, hit the pier, and enjoy a good beach, but that’s not the case with Great Stirrup Cay.
Also, remember that this is a smaller island than usual, and its beauty really shines because there aren’t many buildings here. However, there are no waterparks, splash zones or even swimming pools on the island. The only unique activity here is the zipline and a waterslide, but you can also rent a jet ski or go scuba diving if you wish. There aren’t lots of parties or activities, especially for young kids.
Oh, and another big one: no Wi-Fi on the private island. There’s a cellphone tower, which is great for North American passengers, but it’s a real bummer for international travelers. Come on, let’s have Wi-Fi everywhere, it’s 2025!
Great Stirrup Cay FAQ
Where is Great Stirrup Cay located?
Great Stirrup Cay is located in the Bahamas, just to the east of Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay.
Do you need to board a boat to get to Great Stirrup Cay?
Yes, you need to board a boat to get to Great Stirrup Cay since there isn’t a pier for cruise ships on the island.
Is there Wi-Fi on Great Stirrup Cay?
No, there isn’t Wi-Fi on Great Stirrup Cay.
Is there an exclusive and private area on Great Stirrup Cay?
Yes, there is a private area called Silver Cove, which offers studios, villas, a private beach, and an exclusive restaurant for guests.
Do we recommend Great Stirrup Cay?
We recommend this island for adults and those looking to relax on the beach.
